by Jason Wolf, USA TODAY Sports

by Jason Wolf, USA TODAY Sports

PHILADELPHIA â?? Sixers centers Spencer Hawes and Nerlens Noel warmed up alongside one another before Philadelphia's 114-85 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center, the team's season-worst ninth consecutive defeat and 19th in the last 22 games.

Only one is guaranteed to still be here for the next game.

Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie has reportedly discussed the possibility of dealing Hawes and fellow veterans Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young with every team in the NBA as the trade deadline looms at 3 p.m. Thursday, though a source close to the situation has said there's a "good chance" nothing happens. Perhaps that's because the Sixers, who have more available space under the salary cap than any team in the league, are asking for a first-round draft pick as compensation for any of those three, and because Turner and Hawes are in the final season of their contracts.

A team trading for either Turner or Hawes might simply end up renting their new acquisition for the remainder of the season, which could appeal to an organization looking for an extra boost to make a playoff push, but might not make much sense, considering the high asking price and fact that either pending free agent could potentially be signed during the offseason without having to surrender a pick.

Young, who is under contract for one more season and holds a player option for 2015-16, might be the most attractive of the three, but is perhaps the most valuable to the Sixers, as well. He denied asking for a trade earlier this season, and on Tuesday said he'd be just fine maintaining the status quo.

"I love playing with these guys," Young said. "This has been home for me the past seven years. This has been family to me the past seven years. I would like to stay. But also, like I said, if they see fit to trade me, then I have to pack my things and move on and get to the next city and just be ready."

Known as a consummate pro, Young sets a fine example for the young players the Sixers have drafted, including Noel and Michael Carter-Williams, the front runner to win NBA rookie of the year, as well as whomever the team drafts this offseason.

Philadelphia, which has the second-worst record in the league, is likely to acquire one of the top picks in the 2014 NBA draft and owns the rights to New Orleans' first-round pick, as well.

"The whole purpose of this year has been about identifying people to move forward with," Sixers coach Brett Brown said.

It's unclear if any of the three veterans factor into Philadelphia's plans beyond this season. If not, it may be wise for the Sixers to get whatever they can, especially in the case of Turner and Hawes, rather than simply allowing them to leave in free agency.

Turner, the oft-criticized second overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, is looking forward to the trade deadline.

"I am excited to see what's going to happen because it is like a riddle," Turner told reporters Monday night, once the team reconvened following the All-Star break. "Whatever happens, happens."

Hawes said his expiring deal and the Sixers' on-court struggles and efforts to rebuild create "the perfect storm" for trade chatter, and said he's simply looking forward to focusing on basketball.

"Not having that certainty â?¦ can kind of get on your nerves," Hawes said. "That's the nature of getting down to the trade deadline and you just kind of say, 'Until you hear something definite, you kind of got to take it in stride.'"